Nigerian-Born Ex-Professor Jailed 78 Months Over $1.3m US Student Aid Fraud

A Nigerian-born former university professor, Emmanuel Olugbaike Finnih, has been sentenced to 78 months in a United States federal prison for orchestrating a five-year scheme involving student financial aid fraud and identity theft.

Finnih, 43, a naturalised U.S. citizen from Nigeria living in Richmond, Texas, was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term.

The former adjunct professor at Texas Southern University pleaded guilty to charges including theft of government funds, fraud, unlawful use or transfer of identity documents and aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen imposed the sentence.

Finnih operated the scheme for approximately five years and submitted more than 100 fraudulent financial aid applications using the identities of people presented as students at colleges and universities across Texas.

The fraudulent applications sought more than $1.3 million in federal grants and student loans, of which $921,189.08 was actually disbursed.

Finnih used the personal information of other people to prepare, submit and sign financial aid applications and master promissory notes in their names.

He also allegedly controlled mailing addresses, telephone numbers and email accounts used in the applications, enabling him to receive communications from the U.S. Department of Education and the schools involved.

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The financial aid refunds were subsequently obtained through electronic transfers, cheques and prepaid debit cards sent to addresses or bank accounts controlled by Finnih.

The scheme had consequences for people whose identities were used. Some victims were left with tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt that had been fraudulently placed in their names, affecting their credit and making it more difficult for them to enrol in legitimate educational programmes.

As part of his guilty plea, Finnih admitted repeatedly using the personal identifying information of two victims over several years to fraudulently obtain federal financial aid.

Authorities also discovered that he possessed false identity documents, including temporary driving permits and identification cards, which prosecutors said were intended for unlawful use or transfer as part of the scheme.

The court further heard that Finnih sometimes altered the names of female “straw students” to make them appear male while retaining their correct Social Security numbers and dates of birth. Prosecutors said this enabled him to pose as the individuals whose identities were being used.

In one instance, Finnih contacted a community college and attempted to have financial aid payments unfrozen after the institution detected fraudulent transcripts connected to one of the supposed students.

The investigation involved the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General, alongside the Lone Star College Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Finnih will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. He was allowed to remain on bond and is expected to voluntarily surrender to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to begin his sentence.

The case began with an investigation into fraudulent student aid and later revealed a broader scheme involving more than 100 fraudulent applications and more than $1.3 million in requested financial aid.

The sentencing concludes the federal criminal proceedings against Finnih over the student aid fraud scheme and highlights the financial and credit consequences that identity theft can have on victims.

Nigerian-Born Ex-Professor Jailed 78 Months Over $1.3m US Student Aid Fraud

400 French Schools Shut as Students Protest Teacher Shortages, Poor Facilities

Students across France have staged demonstrations over what they describe as deteriorating conditions in the country’s public schools, including overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, poor facilities and inadequate funding.

The protests, which began in the Paris region, have spread to several cities, including Marseille, Strasbourg, Lyon, Lille, Rennes and Toulouse, disrupting activities in hundreds of schools.

Students have blocked school entrances and staged demonstrations outside their schools, while some protests have escalated into clashes with police, vandalism and fires.

Authorities said the unrest had affected more than 1,000 high schools, with about 400 schools expected to remain closed because of blockades or damage.

The students’ complaints centre on several issues affecting their daily learning experience. They have reported classrooms with as many as 35 to 40 students, shortages of teachers and other school staff, damaged buildings and inadequate classroom facilities.

Some students have also complained about long school days, staff absences and periods without teachers for particular subjects.

At some schools, students and parents have raised concerns about the condition of buildings, including leaks and other maintenance problems. Complaints have also been made about uncomfortable classroom temperatures during periods of hot weather.

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The demonstrations have, however, been accompanied by incidents of violence and vandalism in some locations. Police have reported confrontations with protesters, while some school entrances and surrounding property have been damaged.

France’s Education Ministry said 65 education workers, including 40 school heads, had been injured during the unrest. Police officers have also sustained injuries in some clashes.

French authorities said more than 2,000 people had been arrested since the protests began, with most of those detained reported to be teenagers.

The government has acknowledged concerns about school conditions and education resources, while condemning acts of violence and destruction. Officials have also warned that violent groups could exploit the demonstrations.

Education Minister Édouard Geffray has announced plans for discussions involving students, teachers’ unions and parents to address concerns raised during the protests.

The unrest has also brought attention to France’s proposed 2027 education budget. The planned allocation is expected to increase by 1.7 per cent to about €65.53 billion, excluding teacher pensions, although the increase is below the current inflation rate.

Teachers’ unions have separately announced a nationwide strike, adding pressure on the government to address concerns over staffing, working conditions and education funding.

While students have continued to demand improvements in their schools, the authorities are working to restore normal operations in affected institutions and prevent further violence.

The protests have placed France’s education system under renewed scrutiny, with the availability of teachers, classroom sizes, school infrastructure and education funding emerging as central issues in the dispute.

400 French Schools Shut as Students Protest Teacher Shortages, Poor Facilities

Trump Threatens Iran With ‘Very Hard’ Response Over Flydubai Attack

US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran would face a “very hard” response if investigators establish that Tehran was connected to the attempted attack on a Flydubai passenger aircraft bound for Israel.

Trump made the statement on Thursday as authorities continued investigating the motive behind the Flydubai cockpit attack, in which the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and caused the aircraft to plunge thousands of feet before passengers and other crew members intervened.

Asked at the White House whether the co-pilot had links to Iran, Trump indicated that investigators were examining the possibility.

“Based on what I’m hearing, yes,” Trump said, while stressing that the matter was still being investigated. He later warned that Iran would be hit “very hard” if Tehran was found to have been involved.

The incident occurred on Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv, Israel, on September 30.

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The aircraft was carrying more than 170 passengers when the co-pilot, identified by Israeli authorities as an Omani national, allegedly attacked the captain in the cockpit. The aircraft then entered a steep descent, dropping more than 14,000 feet in about 30 seconds, according to reports.

The injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and overpower the co-pilot. Passengers and crew then helped stabilise the aircraft, while reserve pilots aboard the flight took control.

The aircraft eventually made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the injured captain received medical attention and the suspect was taken into custody.

The incident has generated competing assessments over the possible motive. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the co-pilot appeared to have been radicalised, but he also indicated that it was too early to determine whether Iran was involved.

The United Arab Emirates has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident, including whether it involved terrorism, prior planning or direction from an outside actor. Authorities have yet to publicly establish an Iranian role.

Reuters reported that the motive remained unclear, while investigators from several countries were examining the incident. Flydubai has also suspended its flights between Dubai and Israel as investigations continue. (Reuters)

The incident comes amid heightened US-Iran tensions, with Washington already increasing its military presence in the Middle East. Trump’s warning has therefore added to concerns that confirmation of an Iranian connection could trigger further escalation.

For now, however, the alleged Iran-Flydubai link remains under investigation, and no publicly released evidence has established that Tehran directed or supported the cockpit attack. (AP News)

Trump Threatens Iran With ‘Very Hard’ Response Over Flydubai Attack